Liam Neeson auditioned for the part of Bruce Reynolds, but using his Irish accent to read meant he wasn't used, with the role in the end being cast with Larry Lamb.
Buster Edwards:
The real Buster can be seen at the airport when they arrive in Mexico, walking with the film's Buster (Phil Collins) and the film Buster's wife Jill Edwards (Julie Walters).
The movie has been notable and memorable for two hit songs sung by Phil Collins they being "Two Hearts" and "A Groovy Kind of Love". The two songs went to numbers #6 and #1 respectively on the UK Top-of-the-Pops Singles Chart whilst both tracks both went to No. #1 stateside in the USA.
In the opening scenes where 'Buster' is seen walking off wearing the new suit he has just stolen there is seen a Vespa p range motor scooter..this model was not introduced until 1977 14 years after the film is set.
Buster Edwards: [Buster, Bruce and Harry worries about the police has found their hide-out]
We're gonna get famous now. More popular than Christine Keeler AND the Beatles!
Buster Edwards: [addressing the audience. He is now a florist near Waterloo Bridge, several years after his release in 1980]
You know, I've still got that dream...